Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber

In June 2017, Travis Kalanick, the CEO of Uber, was ousted in a boardroom coup. Mike Isaacs' Super Pumped delivers a gripping account of Uber's rapid rise, pitched battles with taxi unions and drivers, toxic internal culture, and bare-knuckle tactics to overcome obstacles. Based on hundreds of interviews with current and former Uber employees and previously unpublished documents, it explores how blistering technological and financial innovation culminated in one of the most catastrophic twelve-month periods in American corporate history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2020
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

In June 2017, Travis Kalanick, the CEO of Uber, faced a dramatic ousting in a boardroom coup that marked a turbulent year for the transportation giant. Uber, which had skyrocketed to the forefront of the tech world, had become a symbol of everything wrong with Silicon Valley. Following the tradition of Brad Stone's "Everything Store" and John Carreyrou's "Bad Blood," award-winning investigative reporter Mike Isaacs delivers a gripping account of Uber's rapid rise, intense battles with taxi unions and drivers, the company's toxic internal culture, and the ruthless tactics it employed to overcome obstacles in its pursuit of dominance.

Super Pumped, based on hundreds of interviews with current and former Uber employees, along with previously unpublished documents, is a captivating tale of ambition and deceit, obscene wealth, and bad behavior. It delves into how blistering technological and financial innovation culminated in one of the most catastrophic twelve-month periods in American corporate history.

The book opens with a vivid portrayal of Uber's early days, when Kalanick, a charismatic and ambitious entrepreneur, founded the company with a vision to revolutionize the transportation industry. Isaacs captures the excitement and energy of the startup, as Uber's app disrupted the traditional taxi industry and offered a more convenient and affordable ride-sharing experience.

However, as Uber's growth accelerated, so did the company's challenges. Uber faced fierce opposition from taxi unions, which saw the startup as a threat to their livelihoods. The company's aggressive tactics, including lobbying against regulations and engaging in covert operations, led to numerous legal battles and public controversies.

Internal tensions within Uber also grew, fueled by a culture of cutthroat competition and a willingness to disregard ethical norms. Employees were encouraged to prioritize growth and profits over all else, leading to a toxic work environment where harassment, discrimination, and mistreatment were common.

Despite these obstacles, Uber remained determined to dominate the transportation industry. Kalanick, known for his bold and aggressive leadership style, pushed the company to innovate and expand at breakneck speed. Uber launched new services, such as UberEats and UberPool, and expanded into new markets around the world.

However, as the company's valuation skyrocketed, so did its arrogance and hubris. Uber's executives became obsessed with their own success and began to disregard the concerns of their employees, customers, and even the broader society. The company's toxic internal culture became a breeding ground for misconduct and corruption.

One of the most shocking chapters in Super Pumped is the story of the company's decision to acquire rival Uber Technologies in 2016. The acquisition, which was valued at $68 billion, was seen as a way for Uber to consolidate its dominance and eliminate competition. However, the deal quickly turned into a disaster, as Uber's management failed to properly integrate the two companies and encountered numerous operational and cultural challenges.

The acquisition also exposed the deep-rooted problems within Uber's management team. Kalanick, who had been the driving force behind Uber's success, was increasingly isolated from his colleagues and was accused of fostering a toxic work environment. The company's board of directors, which had previously been supportive of Kalanick, began to question his leadership and his ability to steer the company in the right direction.

In June 2017, the culmination of Uber's troubles came when the company's board of directors voted to oust Kalanick as CEO. The decision was driven by a series of scandals and controversies, including the company's mishandling of sexual harassment allegations, its alleged use of "Greyball" to evade regulators, and its involvement in a bribery scandal in India.

Kalanick's ousting marked a turning point for Uber, as the company began to undergo a significant restructuring and rebranding effort. Under new leadership, Uber sought to address its toxic internal culture, improve its customer service, and rebuild its reputation.

Super Pumped is a compelling and eye-opening account of Uber's rise and fall. Isaacs' reporting is thorough and meticulously researched, providing a detailed account of the company's challenges, scandals, and the individuals who played a role in shaping its trajectory. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the tech industry, business, and the darker side of ambition and success.

In conclusion, Uber's journey from a startup disruptor to a global transportation giant is a cautionary tale of ambition, deceit, and the consequences of unchecked power. Super Pumped offers a gripping account of the company's rapid rise, intense battles, and the toxic internal culture that ultimately led to its downfall. The book is a testament to the power of technology and the importance of ethical leadership in the face of adversity.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 140 x 208 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780393358612